Gas supply was suspended in several parts of Karachi on Saturday evening after construction work for the Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project damaged a high-pressure gas pipeline near Jail Chowrangi.
According to a spokesperson for the Sui Southern Gas Company, a 12-inch high-pressure gas pipeline was struck during excavation activities linked to the Red Line project.
The incident led to an immediate suspension of gas supply in Saddar, Garden, Jamshed Road, PIB Colony, Lyari, Lines Area and surrounding neighbourhoods.
SSGC teams quickly arrived at the site and secured the affected section of the pipeline by placing safety barriers around the damaged area to avoid any further danger.
Residents in the affected localities reported a complete gas outage around 7pm, causing difficulties for households during peak evening cooking hours.
The company stated that emergency repair work was underway and gas supply would be restored gradually once the damaged pipeline was repaired.
Officials said repair operations were expected to continue until early Sunday morning, after which gas supply would be resumed in phases.
The Red Line BRT construction corridor has witnessed several incidents involving underground utility lines in recent months due to ongoing excavation and infrastructure work across the city.
Gas crisis deepens for industries, households
Gas shortage across Pakistan has deepened, severely affecting industries while low pressure has left domestic consumers struggling.
The crisis has worsened nationwide due to a shortage of RLNG (Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas). Rapid depletion of existing reserves has reduced gas supply to its lowest levels.
Media reports say that the gas shortfall has exceeded 600 million cubic feet, leading to significant cuts in supply to the power and fertiliser sectors. Domestic consumers are also receiving reduced gas and the lack of pressure in homes has caused serious inconvenience for citizens.
The supply has dropped sharply compared to demand, with daily gas availability declining from 1,200 million cubic feet to just 700 million cubic feet.
On the other hand, Sui Gas authorities have remained silent on the official demand and supply figures. They claim that gas is available in sufficient quantity and insist that supply is being ensured during all three main meal times.
Citizens say that although authorities had announced gas supply during all three meal times, it has not been implemented in practice. Both children and adults are leaving for schools and offices without breakfast, and gas is not being provided according to the announced schedule during lunch and dinner times either.
Also read: LPG prices increase in Lahore
